Repudiation.

Mr. Editor:—It is now pretty generally conceded by those who have impartially investigated the subject, that we, as a people, can never become elevated in common with others until we, like them, become united; so that wherever a spirit of disorganization is manifested, whether in church or state, among the laity or among the clergy, it is regarded as being at war with the common interest of our race.

We hold, therefore, that wherever a church is found to be a party with those who are united against our common good, she is heterodox to the doctrines of the Bible, and justly merits the appellation of hypocrite. As the authorized representatives of that portion of the colored people, composing one of the grand divisions of the church, in this country, we shall show that that party which, through public periodicals, spoke loud and long on the advantages of a union of the two connections, was the first to throw obstacles in the way of its consummation, and then, to conceal their guilt, they falselycharge the innocent.

It is a well known fact, that the Rev. M. M. Clark, Willis Nazarey, and Dr. J. J. G. BiasBias, James Joshua Gould

James Joshua Gould Bias (1807–60) was a physician and preacher living in Philadelphia. Born a slave in Maryland, he learned some medical knowledge while working with a physician there. When Bias obtained his freedom, he moved to Philadelphia, attending the Eclectic Medical School and graduating in 1852. He devoted much of his time before the Civil War tending to the medical and dental needs to fugitive slaves in Southeast Pennsylvania. Bias also was the pastor at the Bethel Church in Philadelphia. He played a leading role in the Colored Conventions movement, holding a number of positions. While Bias endorsed emigration, he rejected the policies of the American Colonization Society, rejecting its White leadership. “Our Philadelphia Letter,”(New York, N.Y.) Weekly Anglo-African, 7 July 1860; George F. Bragg, Jr., Men of Maryland (Baltimore: Church Advocate Press, 1925), 54–55; Michael Dickinson, “Dr. J. J. Gould Bias,” Colored Conventions Project, Coloredconventions.org. , of the A. M. E. Connection, and Rev. I. I. Moor, Wm. Jones, and Edward Johnson, of the late A. M. E. Zion Connection, met in convention, for the purpose of adopting some means by which to effect a union of the two connections. And it is our opinion, that if the said contemplated union had been effected, it would not only have proved a blessing to the two connections, but must have enhanced the interest of the colored people in the general. We cannot but believe that the motives of the above named gentlemen were pure. But, unfortunately for the interest of the church,most unfortunately for the moral as well as political interest of our race in America, a spirit of a different nature manifested itself in an assertion emanating from a minister occupying no low station in the A. M. E. Church, the purport of which was, that the A. M. E. Zion's ministers greatly rejoiced at the idea of becoming connected with the A. M. E. Church, and had expressed their readiness to comply with, and become subservient to, whatever plan the latter might adopt. That the idea of a union of the two bodies was to us a subject of rejoicing, is a fact, the truth of which we are happy to admit. But that we have ever manifested a disposition to unite upon the principle of subserviency, or any other, aside from the strictest equality, is, to say the least of it, a glaring absurdity. An assertion so ungrounded and fallacious had the unhappy effect of changing the sentiments of many who had truly and honestly espoused the cause; and struck the fatal blow to the long wished for union of the two connections. It may revive, and our united prayer to GOD is, that it may revive speedily; but the more recent transactions of the A. M. E. Connection warrant us in saying, that while their theory on this important question seems to indicate no small degree of sincerity, they are practically opposed to union upon any other principle than that which will secure to them the ruling power in the church.

The following preamble and resolution show the action of the Conference with regard to the above, together with the sentiment of that body in relation to th North Star:

Whereas there exists a paper denominated the North Star, edited by the talented Frederick Douglass, that staunch and tried friend of his people; and whereas, that paper is devoted to universal Liberty, Equality and Fraternityーbelieving that resistance to tyranny is obedience to Godーopposing alike oppression, whether found in sacerdotal robes stolen from heaven to serve the devil in, or in the less crafty but more honest statesman; therefore,

Resolved, That we, the members of the Allegheny Conference of the A. M. E. Zion Connection, do highly approve and appreciate said paper, and wish it success; and will do all we can to sustain it, by subscribing ourelves, and fairly laying its claims before the people wherever we go.

Yours for Truth,

S. T. JonesJones, Singleton T.

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G. H. GrahamGraham, Grafton H.

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Com.